9MM or .380?

dak47

dak47

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So the Texas DPS is finally coming back online, my region starts processing applications again on June 1st. Web site is saying about a 45 day backlog.....
For a CCW would you defer to a 9 or .380? I have fairly large mitts and truthfully although it will come with us while exploring hill country (we love Fredericksburg) it will spend most of it’s time as my Wife’s nightstand gun as I’m off to work at 4:30am. She does not like the snubby Rossi one little bit even with .38 Special rounds let alone +P .357 cartridges. I have to admit it has a pretty horrid DA pull.
I’ve handled a Glock 42, 43, Beretta Pico (too small), PX4 Storm and a Ruger LCP II (excellent price point), if you where to choose a CCW sidearm, what would it be? I got so damn lucky when they assigned me down here!
This is the Rossi that she despises......

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For a hot environment, a walther pp in .380 could be slipped in a pocket. Not a fan of glocks. One that I would have no problem with is an old school S&W model 39. Single stack, slim package. The thing is, down there you have so much to choose from That we’ve never even seen up here
 
9mm.

better ballistics and easy to find. As per the previous commenter, you will have so many to choose from. Just get a small singlestack subcompact and you are set. If you don't like Glock (I hated double stack glocks but really like the 43 and 48), get something like S&W shield or Walther PPS.
 
I'd take a good look at the Glock 48 as it looks like it would be a dream to carry and the single stack grip might agree with your wife.
 
Why doesn't she like the Rossi? Recoil?

If you are looking for affordability, the LCP is a very well reviewed gun, but I've never held one let alone shot one.

I got to handle a pair of small glocks last year (a 380 and a 9mm, I don't know the exact models though), was camping in the states and my brothers friend had his permit to carry. Both were nice enough, didn't get to shoot either though.

As for caliber, 9mm is the obvious better choice, but if the wife can't handle the recoil then a 380 would be better. That said, some 380s are simple blow back actions which tend to have more felt recoil so some 380s recoil more than you might expect.
 
seems the ruger lcp has or had some issues.

maybe g43 smaller than the g48 of course but you need to see if it fits you. there is some extension for the magazines if legal where you are for the g43.

good luck and congrats.
 
Do a trigger job on the Rossie, but than again If I could carry, I would not carry cheap crap.
I would look for a s-w 19 snub nose, Or Colt , PP, or PPK in 380, 9mm will not be much different I don't for recoil.
As far as new stuff, a 1911 commander is about as new as I get, or a CZ 75 Actually ,I had a 941 short frame Jericho that was small and smooth, recoil way less than a PPK
You just have to gloat, don't you
 
9mm. I’ve ccw a .380 for years, and was not comfortable with its capacity at all. It’s just a step higher than the anemic .32 ACP. In this dau and age, there is no excuse to carry anything lower than 9x19.
 
"... it will spend most of it’s time as my Wife’s nightstand gun as I’m off to work at 4:30am. ..."

That's its main role, that's your main criteria, get whichever she likes best. Sooner or later you'll get another gun for yourself which you will choose for wandering those hills.

(Whichever way leads to more guns is the Proper Gunnutz solution.)
 
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The based god Paul has quite a few videos on the topic. My 2 cents is get something you can train with often enough that fits your budget, fits nicely on your persons (comfort is huge), and packs a decent enough punch. I'm personally a big fan of the europellet (9x19) but if you shoot better or feel more comfortable with .380, there's nothing wrong with that. The .22 in your pocket is always better than the .357 in your safe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX3gpJ-###0 (Ammo selection/comparison 9 or .380)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVfStJS5XQw (.380 ammo selection)

He has a plethora of 9mm videos as well as gun reviews for CCW purposes - the rabbit hole is vast. Hope you find something you like!
 
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.380 is what I would consider the absolute bottom of suitable CCW cartridges. That said I would take a 9mm under pretty well any circumstances.
 
dak47 said:
So the Texas DPS is finally coming back online, my region starts processing applications again on June 1st. Web site is saying about a 45 day backlog.....
For a CCW would you defer to a 9 or .380? I have fairly large mitts and truthfully although it will come with us while exploring hill country (we love Fredericksburg) it will spend most of it’s time as my Wife’s nightstand gun as I’m off to work at 4:30am. She does not like the snubby Rossi one little bit even with .38 Special rounds let alone +P .357 cartridges. I have to admit it has a pretty horrid DA pull.
I’ve handled a Glock 42, 43, Beretta Pico (too small), PX4 Storm and a Ruger LCP II (excellent price point), if you where to choose a CCW sidearm, what would it be? I got so damn lucky when they assigned me down here!
This is the Rossi that she despises......

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Go with a 9mm . better selection of ammo and a little more powerful . if you going to carry it get something that's not going to rust . humidity . say a glock 19 . teach the wife how to shoot it properly also . you could also pick up a cheap Mossberg model 500 12 gauge and get her some low recoil shells . when your out make sure it's stored safely so someone wont use it on you if you come home and they are in your house. unwelcome visitors . Glock 23 will work also . if you can find a range that rents guns let her try both . there is also the smith M&P . nicer feeling grip . let her try them all .
 
Had a Glock 42 for a while. Loved it for it's size and how pleasant it was to shoot. Didn't like the additional caliber in my inventory. Finally ended up trading it for a G43. In hindsight, I should have choosen a G43X.

Depending on enviroment, I'd take a G42 again as a carry gun.
 
I started shooting back in the 70’s with a model 39, and have had a sweet point with single stack 9mm since. I’ve always felt the 39
was near perfect for what you want. I bought a glock 19X when they came out, loved it. then when the 48 arrived, got one of those. it is
PERFECT. I wish they had made the gun 10 years ago. both you and your wife should give it a try
 
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